Taoiseach Visits Ottawa, Revitalizing Canada-Ireland Relations
For the first time in eight years, the head of the Irish government has made the trip across the Atlantic to visit Canada. The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, arrived on a fittingly cool, overcast September morning to a warm welcome from Prime Minister Mark Carney at Rideau Cottage, the Prime Minister’s temporary residence nestled in Ottawa’s historic Rockcliffe Park neighbourhood.
Although nearly a decade has passed since a visit of this magnitude, the Taoiseach, then serving in the capacity of Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), happened to be in Canada just last year during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Toronto—an occasion characterized more by soft diplomacy and camaraderie than hardline policy talks.
Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with the former Tánaiste, and current Taoiseach of Ireland, Micheál Martin - March 15th 2024
This latest trip was framed as a bilateral meeting aimed at strengthening the Canada-Ireland relationship. And while there were many announcements and discussions centred on the rich history between the two nations, at the top of both leaders’ agendas was trade, and in particular, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union (EU).
The CETA Agreement was signed back in 2016 during the EU-Canada Summit, eliminating virtually all tariffs on goods and services between EU member states and Canada. Since its provisional application in 2017, trade between the two sides has increased by over 70%, with particularly strong growth among small- and medium-sized enterprises, which have realized export growth of 20.3% compared to 13.8% for larger companies. Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Ireland has nearly doubled over this same time period, representing a value of CAD $13 billion (€8 billion) as of 2023. This surge has created countless opportunities for Canadian and Irish businesses alike, and has propelled Ireland to become the 10th largest investor in Canada. According to the recently launched Canada-Ireland Economic Report, this momentum is expected to continue, with the Conference Board of Canada estimating that annual bilateral trade in goods could increase a further 37%, adding an additional CAD $2 billion (€1.2 billion) in value to the relationship.
Despite CETA’s preliminary economic success—and the rosy projections provided in the impact assessments—it has yet to be fully ratified by 10 EU member states, including Ireland. Much of the opposition from these holdouts centres on the very elements that render CETA a modern, forward-thinking trade agreement, including the establishment of a constructive framework on a “broad range of non-tariff issues, including regulatory cooperation”. One major point of contention has been the mechanism for resolving trade disputes, particularly the introduction of CETA’s Investment Court System (ICS), which many have claimed concentrates too much power in private companies. In Ireland, concerns persisted among the Green Party and other left-leaning organizations, despite a 2019 ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) affirming that the ICS mechanism complies with EU law.
As part of his visit to the nation’s capital, the Taoiseach put these concerns to rest, announcing that Ireland intends to fully ratify CETA and, once done, return to Ottawa with a high-level trade delegation. This was a positive development for companies on both sides of the pond, providing greater certainty and serving as a significant feather in Prime Minister Carney’s cap as he approaches the end of his first year in office.
Beyond the assurance of CETA ratification, both leaders expressed their steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and the urgent need to foster lasting peace in the Middle East. Prime Minister Carney highlighted the shared values underpinning both countries’ foreign policy stances and emphasized the importance of presenting a united front on the global stage.
In the realm of public diplomacy, there was the opening of the new Irish embassy in Ottawa, accompanied by the announcement of the De Chastelain Scholarship Program, an initiative providing over 50 scholarships that will strengthen academic ties between both countries and advance peace and reconciliation. The Taoiseach also visited Governor General Mary Simon, made a stop at the House of Commons, and dropped by an Ottawa Gaels practice, where he was presented with a special 50th Anniversary jersey.
Finally, the Taoiseach announced the Canada-Ireland 180 initiative to be held in 2027, marking 180 years since 100,000 Irish refugees made the journey to Canada during a single season at the height of the Famine. Events throughout the year will commemorate this historic moment and the shared cultural, political, and economic ties between the two nations that have only deepened since. This was a welcome announcement for a relationship that has long deserved greater recognition, yet too often remains overshadowed by other international partnerships.
Up next is a ministerial-led trade mission from Ireland to Canada in November of this year, and an invitation for Prime Minister Carney to make a visit to Ireland—a place where he has familial ties in the Yew County. If the warmth displayed over the course of this visit is any indication of what lies ahead for this revitalized partnership, the future looks promising.